Declaration on Human Rights in Morocco: « Morocco does not respect the Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatments or punishments »

The North American Human Rights Committee expresses its extreme concern at the harsh and unjust verdict handed down on July 9 against journalist Soulaiman Raissouni, and at the prosecution of numerous journalists and bloggers in trials marked by the violation of the guarantees to a fair and equitable trial, and in the total absence of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary powers.

Despite national and international calls for the release of detainees and calls for their trials to be held in liberation, especially in the conditions of a health pandemic and prison overcrowding, and despite Soulaiman Raissouni’s hunger strike, which has exceeded 97 days, and which seriously affects his health to the point of fearing the worst, the Moroccan authorities have not moved a finger.

As human rights actors and members of civil society, concerned by the country’s problems and its political, economic, social, and cultural future, we note the intransigence of the Moroccan authorities and their continued violation of all laws, including the constitution itself:

• We request the intervention of the Moroccan Head of State to stop this humanitarian and human rights hemorrhage, by freeing all prisoners of conscience, and by launching a broad societal debate allowing to set up a real democracy for a sustainable and fair future.

• We call on all active forces, progressive parties, unions, professional associations for the defense of human, women’s, young people’s and students’ rights to mobilize for the establishment of a political and social climate conducive to getting the country out of the clutches of exploitation, corruption, abuses of power and support for rentier politics.

• We strongly condemn all flawed and irregular trials and judgments and demand their abolition.

• We call on Mr. Soulaiman Raissouni to put an end to his strike which has achieved its objectives of condemning repression and reprisals against free voices. We hope to soon enjoy his writings and his pen, as well as those of his fellow detainees.

 One should not miss once again one of the rare opportunities to create and strengthen hope for a better future, among activists as well as among classes aspiring to equal opportunities and social and economic justice as stipulated in international human rights conventions.

 New York July 13, 2021